Footballer Running Gym Business Proves That South African Players Can Set Themselves Up Well After Retirement

• Former football player Warren Bishop showed that South African players can set themselves after their careers come to an end
• Bishop stopped playing in 2014 at an unusually early 31 years of age, but clearly had a plan with the gym business he set up
• He represented University of Pretoria, Amazulu, Bidvest Wits Mpumalanga Black Aces and Santos during his brief playing career

While there are far too many stories of South Africa football players falling on hard times after retiring, there are many in which they settle nicely.

Former Premier Soccer League defender Warren Bishop is one of these examples who unfortunately go under the radar as we choose to focus on the negatives. Bishop represented University of Pretoria, Amazulu, Bidvest Wits, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Santos, before retiring unexpectedly early at the age of 31 in 2014.

He clearly had a great plan in curtailing his career that early as reported by KickOff. Bishop became a business owner who set up gym franchises in Sandton and Rosebank under the Extreme Fighting Championship brand.

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Bishop told KickOff:

"Some of our former players don’t get to save money so that is why they end up sinking into trouble past their playing days. Others just don’t have a plan for past their playing days and so don’t prepare at all.

"As a footballer, you have to learn to invest in what will make money when you stop playing. It can be property, restaurant, gym, or whatever suits your thinking."

He added that he got into the fitness industry because he is something of an enthusiast, saying:

"I got into this business space because I have always been a fitness fanatic and started out with a boxing gym after which the EFC guys came, and I rolled out as a franchise with me handling the gym. So, I rebranded my gym and then in 2020 opened another one in Rosebank though Covid-19 meant we opened and closed."

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PSL and Multichoice kicks off Player Transition Programme with Gordon Institute of Business Science

Football players in the Premier Soccer League will be empowered to set themselves up for life after the game ends professionally.

As reported on Sports Brief, the league together with broadcast company Multichoice launched the PSL Player Transition Programme today at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

As stated by the PSL on its website, 64 current PSL players have been enrolled for the six-month course, specifically designed by GIBS to equip, and empower them with the necessary knowledge and skills to find careers off the field after they retire.